Franklin Creek State Natural Area is located in
Lee County, one mile northwest of the village of Franklin Grove and
eight miles east of Dixon, just north of Illinois Route 38. The
beautiful Franklin Creek flows throughout the 664-acre park.
Several large natural springs, hardwood forests, bedrock
outcroppings, and a large variety of flora and fauna comprise a
pristine ecosystem.

History

Pioneer families in the 1830s found the Franklin Creek
area to be an inviting new home on the sometimes unfriendly
prairie. Large, cool springs provided ample amounts of pure
drinking water and early refrigeration; hardwood forests provided
construction materials; and the creek provided fish for food and
water power to run saw and grist mills. The deep, pleasant
valleys protected by limestone and sandstone bluffs made ideal
homesites shielded from cold winter winds. The mill spring, the
largest in the park, provided water power for the largest grist mill
in Lee County, constructed in 1847. Still today, many ponds and
rock outcroppings along Franklin Creek carry names given to them by
pioneer families.

Formation

For years, the Franklin Creek has been a favorite
local recreation site. In 1970, Mrs. Winifred Knox donated 100
acres of land for wildlife preservation. Through the 1970s, the
Natural Land Institute purchased additional properties as they became
available. Franklin Grove area citizens, wanting to see the
Franklin Creek area protected, organized in 1981 to form the Franklin
Creek Preservation Area Committee. Since the Committee's
formation, they have gained the reputation of being the first
volunteer organization in the state to improve idle, state-owned land
for park purposes through volunteer efforts. The committee
secured donations of money and labor, along with assistance from the
Franklin Center Future Farmers of America, to construct roads,
shelters, picnic tables, restrooms, run underground electric lines,
drill wells, and clear hiking trails. Dedication services were
held August 28, 1982, to officially open the park. In April of
1986, the State of Illinois appointed the first site superintendent
to manage the new park.

Facilities

Picnicking: Norwegian Hill and Mill
Springs Day Use Areas have two and three shelters respectively.
Each shelter is complete with electricity, cooking grills, picnic
tables, restrooms and drinking water. The facilities at
Sunday's Shelter are totally handicapped accessible. A walk-in
picnic area with parking by Sunday's Bridge offers four secluded
picnic areas with picnic tables and grills. The Sunday's,
Bartlett, Hausen-Knox and Banker shelters may be reserved by
contacting the site superintendent.

Grist Mill: The newly constructed
Franklin Creek Grist Mill became operational in 1999. It is
open to the public from April to November -- Wednesdays
11:00 to 2:30, Saturdays 10:00 to 4:00, Sundays Noon to 4:00, or
anytime by appointment by calling the Grist Mill at 815-456-2718 or
the park office. This very large reproduction is modeled after
the original corn meal and flour producing mill built in 1847.
Community volunteers, in large part, secured donations and provided
the labor to complete this water-powered structure. Now the
Franklin Creek Preservation Area Committee has a long-term lease to
operate and maintain the facility. Along with milling
demonstrations, the building serves as a visitor center for the
natural area. All four levels of the Grist Mill are handicapped accessible.

Trails

Hiking:Four and
one-half miles of hiking trails are marked and maintained at the
park. All trail markers are numbered and clearly shown on the
park map to help you follow the trails. The Mill Springs
Handicapped Trail is a unique, concrete-surfaced trail suitable for
people of all mobility levels. The trail leads to the
beautiful Mill Spring and possesses an easy rating. All other
trails possess a medium difficulty rating. Pioneer Pass is
highly recommended to see the park's unique, natural beauty.
The three creek crossings on Pioneer Pass are wet at this time
pending the construction of foot-bridges.

Equestrian: The
equestrian area contains six miles of trails. The
Rock River Trail and Horseman Association has been instrumental
in developing and maintaining this area. Equestrian facilities
include a picnic shelter, restrooms, drinking water and an outdoor
show arena. Equestrian, overnight, Class "C" camping
is available.

Snowmobiling: Four
of the six miles of equestrian trails serve as snowmobile trails
after the hunting season closes and a four-inch snow base exists.

Cross-Country Skiing:
Two of the six miles of equestrian trails serve as ski trails winding
through 65 acres of rolling, wooded landscape. Trails possess a
medium difficulty rating and are opened after hunting season closes.

Fishing

Fishing is allowed in Franklin Creek on state-owned
property. Use your park map to be sure you are on park
property. Franklin Creek is not stocked at the present time,
but does support a population of smallmouth bass, channel catfish,
carp, redhorse and rock bass.

Hunting

At this printing, hunting is limited to archery deer
and wild turkey hunting and only allowed north of Franklin Creek in
the equestrian area in season. The area consists of 180 acres
of hardwoods and brushy fields.

Please: This park is for all to enjoy, so help keep it
clean. Put all litter in the nearest container. No plants
or parts of any tree may be removed or damaged. If you have
questions or need help, contact the site superintendent. Call 815-456-2878
for information. Check out the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources for more information on state parks.